Multi-level adventure system

ABSTRACT

An adventure system disclosed. The adventure system may include a multi-level climbing apparatus that may include a frameset comprising set of vertical members spaced about a vertical axis and a plurality of horizontal members that define different climbing levels. A slide may be coupled to the multi-level climbing apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application60/003,203, filed Nov. 15, 2007, which is incorporated by referenceherein as though fully set forth.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This invention relates to a multi-level climbing apparatus and adventuresystem, and in particular, to a multi-level climbing apparatus that maybe coupled to a slide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Artificial climbing walls are popular due to increased physical fitnessawareness and interest in climbing and bouldering sports. Climbing wallassemblies may also introduce children to the climbing sports in a safe,convenient and educational manner. Obstacle-type courses are alsopopular, making climbing fun and challenging to the users.

BRIEF DERCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adventure system in accordance withthis disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multi-level climbing structure inaccordance with the teachings of this disclosure;

FIG. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a hexagonal-shaped framesets inaccordance with the teachings of this disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-C are further illustrations of a hexagonal-shaped frameset inaccordance with the teachings of this disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a portion of a multi-level climbingapparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a user moving through a portion of amulti-level climbing apparatus in accordance with the teachings of thisdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adventure system 100 in accordancewith this disclosure. The adventure system 100 may include a multi-levelclimbing apparatus 110, as will be more fully described below. Theadventure system 100 may also include a slide 160. In one embodiment,the slide 160 may comprise an inflatable slide as is known in the art.The slide 160 may be coupled to the multi-level climbing structure 110through an interface 115.

As an overview of the operation of the adventure system 100, it iscontemplated that a user may enter the multi-level climbing apparatus ata lowest level such as along path 105. The user may then climb upthrough the various levels of the multi-level climbing apparatus 110 andenter the slide 160 through an interface 115 located at a top-mostlevel. The user may then slide down through the slide 160 along a path165, and exit the adventure system 100 at exit 170.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a multi-level climbingstructure 110 in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure isshown. In one exemplary embodiment, the multi-level climbing structure110 may be comprised of a frameset that maybe formed from steel,preferably a powder-coated steel. In one embodiment, the framesetcomprises vertical members 120 and horizontal level members 130. It isalso preferred that the frameset is formed from a steel that meets allapplicable American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”)standards.

The multi-level climbing structure 110 also includes at least one, andpreferably a plurality of, climbing levels defined by the horizontalmembers 130 ₁ through 130 _(n). Though the multi-level climbingstructure 110 of FIG. 2 illustrates seven climbing levels, any number oflevels is possible.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the climbing levels 130 ₁ through 130 _(n)are arranged as a vertically-oriented concentric stack affixed to, andsupported by, the vertical members 120. In one preferred embodiment, thehorizontal members 130 measure approximately 8 feet per side, thoughother sizes and shapes are possible as will be shown below. In a furtherpreferred embodiment, the levels 130 may be vertically spaced apart at adistance of 24 inches, though other spacing schemes are possible.

To enhance the safety of the adventure system 100, a netting 140 may bedisposed about the outer perimeter of the multi-level climbing structure110.

Additionally, a landing pad 150 may be provided at the base of themulti-level climbing structure 110 to provide a soft surface above theground.

FIG. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a hexagonal-shaped multi-levelclimbing structure 300 in accordance with the teachings of thisdisclosure. FIG. 3A illustrates a hexagonal-shaped frameset formed froma series of parallel vertical members 310 and at least one horizontalring-shaped member 320, referred to herein as ring 320. As can be seenfrom FIG. 3A, a series of rings 320 may be stacked in a concentric,vertical fashion to achieve a desired height for the multi-levelclimbing structure 300.

FIG. 3B is illustrates a hexagonal-shaped frameset including intertwinedwebbing straps 330 disposed in the plane defined by the ring 320,forming a climbing surface as will be described in more detail below.With each ring 320 corresponding to a separate climbing level, thenumber of levels may be chosen by utilizing a desired number of rings320.

FIGS. 4A-C are further illustrations of a hexagonal-shaped frameset inaccordance with the teachings of this invention. FIG. 4A illustrates ahexagonal-shaped frameset 400 formed from a series of parallel verticalmembers 410 and at least one horizontal ring 420. As can be seen fromFIG. 4A, a series of rings 420 may be stacked in a concentric, verticalfashion as illustrated herein to achieve a desired height for themulti-level climbing structure.

FIG. 4B shows a top view of a frameset 400 looking along an axis A. Inpreferred embodiments, the axis A is preferably parallel with thevertical members 410. The surface of each climbing level may defined bythe plane defined by the circumference of the shape of the horizontalmembers, such as the rings 420. Thus, in exemplary embodiments, the axisA is oriented perpendicular to the plane defined by the rings 420.

Additionally, FIGS. 4A-B show that the shapes of rings 420 may beoriented or otherwise aligned about axis A in pre-defined patterns withrespect to each other. In the example of FIGS. 4A-4C, each successivering 420 is rotated 30° with respect to the adjacent ring.

FIG. 4C shows a side view of the frameset 400, showing the verticalmembers 410 oriented along vertical axis A, and the various rings 420disposed horizontally at pre-defined intervals to form the variousclimbing levels of the multi-level climbing structure.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a portion of a multi-level climbingapparatus 110 including pair of horizontal members 130 and associatedvertical members 120, such as illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1and 2. FIG. 5 illustrates how a meshed climbing surface may be formed bya series of interwoven web straps 135, with each end of the straps 135being affixed to the inner edge of a horizontal member 130 using aspring element 145. As can be appreciated from FIG. 5, the web straps135 may be arranged in an alternating weave pattern, resulting in anintertwined, spring loaded design. In a preferred embodiment, the webstraps 135 may be formed from an industrial grade vinyl. The web straps135 may also be formed from a material that is UV stable.

FIG. 5 also illustrates the netting 140 being affixed on the inside edgeof the horizontal member 130, preferably being attached to the springelements 145. The netting 140 is preferably installed about the innercircumference of the horizontal element 130, thereby encircling theusers of the apparatus and preventing users from exiting the apparatusor hitting the steel frameset elements.

FIG. 6 shows a user 600 traversing a climbing surface formedintertwining web straps 135. As the user 600 moves through the layer ofinterwoven web straps 135, the straps will slide relative to each otherand allow the user to climb through. As the straps 135 are spring-loadedwith tension from the spring elements 145, the straps 135 will return toposition

1. An adventure system comprising: a multi-level climbing apparatushaving a lower level and an upper level; said multi-level climbingapparatus comprising a frameset, said frameset comprising: a set ofvertical members spaced about a vertical axis; a plurality of horizontalmembers, said horizontal members being affixed to said vertical membersspaced about to define climbing levels; and a slide coupled to saidupper level of said multi-level climbing apparatus.